This year, we will celebrate the 21st Quinquennial Congress (Q2026) at the Griffin Gate Marriott in Lexington, Kentucky, from July 29 to August 2. This gathering comes at a particularly grace-filled moment, as the global Franciscan family continues to celebrate the Jubilee Year of St. Francis and the 800th anniversaries that mark the final years of his earthly life.
In my lifetime, four of my relatives have celebrated their 100th birthday. A century is a long time. But this year, as you all know, we are celebrating the 800th anniversary of Francis’ death. How does Francis stay so popular after eight centuries? We can get an idea by looking at what has happened in just the last 40 years – my part of the story.
At the CIOFS General Chapter in Rome (November 2024), the theme “You Are Love” reminded us that the Franciscan way of life begins with God’s initiative: God loved us first. From this gift flows the love we extend to ourselves, to our families, and to every brother and sister we meet along the way.
In response to the announcement of a Year of St. Francis, Fr. Marek Weresa, who is a contributor of Vatican News, interviewed Bishop Krzysztof Nykiel, Regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary. One of the questions he asked, after a tremendous Jubilee Year and now another special invitation to enjoy a Year of St. Francis, was, “What can we do to prevent this time from becoming banal?”
In this jubilee year of our founder, the great peacemaker and reconciler, it is fitting that we have called the membership to work visibly for justice and mercy for immigrants
This year the Church marks the 800th anniversary of the transitus, the passing into eternal life of Francis of Assisi. In honor of this moment, Pope Leo XIV has named 2026 the Year of St. Francis. For Secular Franciscans, this is more than remembering the past. It is an invitation: a year to begin again.
My Franciscan vocation began with the Seculars, so when the opportunity came for me to serve as a provincial delegate in 2011, I was happy to volunteer. I was in my second assignment after ordination – middle-aged as a person, but young as a friar. This service has been an incredible opportunity for me to grow and exercise our Franciscan charism. At several points, I have been grateful for those who have walked with me in leadership. My connections grew with their support, leading eventually to the positions I have now as OFS Animator for my province and National Spiritual Assistant.
Over the last three years I’ve been focusing on death. In 2024, my father was called home. In 2025, my mother was called home. In 2026, we remember the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. Both my parents lived 93 years. St. Francis lived about 45 years. An opportunity to focus on death is truly an opportunity to focus on life.
Patrick Mendes, former U.S. National Minister of the OFS (2006-2009), said in an interview, “It is not what we do but what we bring to what we do. What we bring is our charism - our charism of our peace and joy and love for God’s creation.” The next question then becomes, “How can I bring this to others? I’m shy. I can’t speak in a group. I’m not educated in apologetics. I’m just a layperson!”
Anyone who has spent time with varied Franciscan fraternities knows that there are different ways of living the faith and putting it into action. On the one hand, some emphasize a strong sense of liturgy and worship, morality, virtue, and doctrine. ... On the other hand, there are those whose focus is in this world. ...